Strap and buckle assembly

ABSTRACT

Strap and buckle assembly for securing articles together and/or tying them down. The strap is wrapped around the articles, and the buckle is utilized in the manner of a ratchet to tighten the strap and secure it in its tightened condition. In one embodiment increasing the tension on the strap serves to enhance the clamping of the buckle parts about the strap so as to preclude accidental release between the buckle and strap. A second embodiment also provides positive locking of the buckle to the strap notwithstanding increased tension applied to the strap.

United States Patent [1 1 Schnurmacher [451 Jan. 21, 1975 STRAP AND BUCKLE ASSEMBLY [76] Inventor: Gerald L. Schnurmacher, 319

Bonita Ave., Piedmont, Calif. 9461 l [22] Filed: Jan. 10, 1974 [21] Appl. No.: 432,166

[52] U.S. Cl 24/68 R, 24/68 SB, 24/68 CD, 24/71 SB, 24/71 TD, 24/713 [51] Int. Cl A43c 11/00, A44b 21/00 [58] Field of Search 24/713, 71.2, 68 SB, 68 E, 24/68 F, 68 ST, 68 R, 69 R, 69 CT, 68 CD, 71 R, 71 SR; 292/246 [56] References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 3,091,827 6/1963 Randrup 24/68 F 3,366,996 2/1968 Springer 24/68 SB 3,574,246 4/1971 Norton et al 24/68 CD Primary Examiner-Geo. V. Larkin Attorney, Agent, or FirmFlehr, Hohbach, Test, Albritton & Herbert [57] ABSTRACT Strap and buckle assembly for securing articles together and/or tying them down. The strap is wrapped around the articles, and the buckle is utilized in the manner of a ratchet to tighten the strap and secure it in its tightened condition. In one embodiment increasing the tension on the strap serves to enhance the clamping of the buckle parts about the strap so as to preclude accidental release between the buckle and strap. A second embodiment also provides positive locking of the buckle to the strap notwithstanding increased tension applied to the strap.

4 Claims, 8 Drawing Figures PATENTED'JANZI 1W5 (PRIOR ART) 1 STRAP AND BUCKLE ASSEMBLY BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION This invention pertains generally to straps for tying and securing objects in place and more particularly to an assembly comprising a strap with a buckle which serves to tighten and hold the strap in its tightened condition.

Heretofore, straps have been utilized for securing objects tightly together as well as for tying them down as, for example, on the bed of a truck, on the deck of a ship. on the roof of a car. or in the baggage compartment of an aircraft. When two or more articles are to be secured together, a strap having a buckle affixed to one end thereof is generally passed around the articles, and the free end of the strap attached to the buckle. Certain buckles can then be used to draw the ends of the strap together to secure the strap in a tightened condition. When articles are to be secured to a base, two straps are generally utilized. One end of each strap is attached to the base by suitable fasteners, such as hooks, and the other end of one strap is permanently affixed to a buckle. When the straps have been passed over the articles to be secured, the free end of the second strap is attached to the buckle, and the buckle is utilized to draw the ends of the straps together and then to secure them.

One type of buckle heretofore provided for tightening and securing a strap is illustrated in FIGS. 1 and 2. This buckle is formed of a resilient rod or wire stock and has a transverse cross arm 11 formed at one end and about which the free end 12 of a strap is looped. The buckle also has a pair of transverse arms 13 and 14 about which the other end 16 of the strap is looped and permanently secured, as by stitching. Substantially parallel side arms 18, 19 extend from opposite ends of the transverse arms. Hooks 21, 22 at the free ends of arms 18, 19, respectively serve to retain the buckle flat to the strap. The buckle is pivoted back and forth about cross arm 11, as indicated by arrow 20, to tighten the strap, and then the buckle is secured in the position illustrated, i.e., with the buckle adjacent to free end 12 of the strap and with hooks 21 and 22 engaging the two thicknesses of the strap at this end. The buckle can be released from its secured position by spreading the free ends of arms 18 and 19 laterally apart to disengage hooks 21, 22 from the strap.

It has been observed that the foregoing buckle tends to uncontrollably release itself from its clamped position under certain circumstances. Thus, the pull of strap end 16 on transverse arms 13 and 14 tends to draw the free ends of these transverse arms 13, 14 backwardly as illustrated by arrows 23 and 24 thereby drawing hooks 21 and 22 laterally apart, as indicated by arrows 26 and 27.

It will be readily evident that if the tension in the strap increases suddenly, as it can, for example, if a truck on which the strap is utilized hits a bump or has to stop abruptly, the hooks can separate sufficiently whereby they can lose their grasp on the strap, in which case the buckle springs loose and rotates clockwise (as shown in FIG. 1) 180 about cross arm 11, releasing the strap. Similarly, the tendency of the hooks to be drawn apart by increased tension limits the extent to which the strap can be tightened and its ultimate utility.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION AND OBJECTS The invention provides a strap and buckle assembly in which the ability of the buckle to hold the strap is positively maintained notwithstanding substantial in'- creased tension in the strap. In one embodiment, the buckle is fabricated of a resilient rod, such as spring steel, and provided with crossed arms which draw retaining hooks together as tension in the strap is increased. In another embodiment, the buckle comprises a rigid plate with a removable pin for positively locking the buckle in its secured position.

It is, in general, an object of the invention to provide a new and improved strap and buckle assembly.

Another object of the invention is to provide a strap and buckle assembly of the above character in which the buckle holds the strap in its tightened condition and is positively locked or clamped to the strap yet is readily releasable therefrom.

Additional objects and features of the invention will be apparent from the following description in which the preferred embodiments are set forth in detail in conjunction with the accompanying drawings.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS FIGS. 1 and 2 show perspective views of a prior art strap and buckle assembly and are so labeled.

FIG. 3 shows a perspective view of one embodiment of a strap and buckle assembly according to the invention.

FIGS. 4A-4C show fragmentary views, illustrating the operation of the buckle and strap assembly of FIG. 3.

FIG. 5 shows a fragmentary sectional view of another embodiment of a strap and buckle assembly according to the invention.

FIG. 6 shows a perspective view of another embodiment of a strap and buckle assembly according to the invention.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS The embodiment illustrated in FIG. 3 includes an elongate strap 31 and a buckle 32. Strap 31 is fabricated of a suitable material such as cotton or nylon belting, and is preferably woven. Strap 31 has a fixed end 33 and a free end or adjustable end 34 attached to buckle 32 in a manner described hereinafter in detail. Strap 31 can consist of either a single section or a plurality of sections. With a single section, ends 33 and 34 will be the opposite ends of the same section, while with more than one section they will be the confronting ends of different sections.

Buckle 32 is formed of a semi-rigid, resilient rod or wire stock, such as oil tempered spring steel. As illustrated, the rod has a rounded cross section, although it can have a rectangular or other suitable cross section if desired.

A transversely extending cross arm 36 is provided at one end of the buckle, and short lever arms 37 and 38 extend from the ends of cross arm 36. Transverse arms 41, 42 extend from the short lever arms in a direction generally parallel to cross arm 36. Elongate operating arms 43, 44 extend diagonally from opposite ends of transverse arms 41 and 42 and cross each other intermediate the ends of buckle 32. As discussed more fully hereinafter, the strap is tightened by grasping arms 43,

44 and pivoting the buckle back and forth about cross arm 36 between positions adjacent to strap ends 33 and 34, respectively. The amount of tightening provided by each pivoting movement of the buckle is determined by the effective length of lever arms 37 and 38, i.e., the distance between cross arm 36 and transverse arms 41, 42. The length of arms 43, 44 provides a sufficient mechanical advantage for tightening the strap.

lnwardly opening confronting jaws 46 and 47 are formed at the free ends of arms 43, 44, respectively. These jaws include upper loops 46a, 47a and lower re taining arms 46b, 47b. The loops and arms of jaws 46, 47 are spaced apart by a distance somewhat greater than two thicknesses of strap 31, and smooth protective tips 48 are carried on the confronting ends of arms 46b, 47b.

The fixed end 33 of strap 31 is permanently affixed to the buckle by passing an end of strap 31 around both transverse arms 41, 42 and then stitching or otherwise securing it to itself to form a closed loop 49 encircling arms 41, 42. The stub end 33a is preferably disposed on the underside of the loop to maximize the frictional force between adjacent layers of the strap when the strap is tightened in the manner described below.

Operation and use of the assembly of FIG. 3 can be described with reference to FIGS. 4A-4C. Strap 31 is placed around the articles to be secured, and free end 34 threaded through the opening between cross arm 36 and transverse arms 41 and 42, then folded back to overlie itself to form an open loop 51. The strap is tightened by grasping and exerting tension on free end 34a of open loop 51 with one hand and, while maintining tension on free end 34a, pivoting the buckle in the direction of arrow 52 about cross arm 36 from a position adjacent to the fixed strap end to a position adjacent to the free end. This rocking or pivoting movement draws loops 49 and 51 past each other (FIG. 4B), tightening the strap to an extent determined by the effective length of the short lever arms 37, 38. As buckle 32 is rocked toward the free end of strap 31, the outer run of loop 51 is clamped against the inner run to prevent slippage of the free end (FIG. 413).

If further tightening of the strap is desired, the buckle is rocked back toward the fixed end of the strap, as indicated by arrow 53. During the return movement, slack produced by the preceding tightening movement is taken up simply by pulling free end 34a of loop 51 in the direction indicated by arrow 54. The buckle is then rocked back toward the free end of the strap, drawing the strap yet more tightly about the articles. The process is repeated until the desired degree of tightening has been effected. Note the advance of arm 36 relative to point A in FIGS. 4A through 4C.

Once the strap has been tightened to the extent desired, the buckle is secured in position adjacent to the free end of the strap by placing arms 46b and 47b under the two runs of loop 51, with loops 46a and 47a on top of the two runs. With the jaws so positioned, the free end of the belt is securely constrained between loops 46a and 47a and hook arms 46b and 47b.

As in the prior art, the tension in the strap tends to pull the ends 37, 38 of transverse arms 41 and 42 away from hooks 46, 47 as illustrated by arrows 61 and 62. However, unlike the prior art, this pull tends to draw jaws 46, 47 more tightly together, as indicated by arrows 63, 64.

The confronting portions of loops 46a and 47a hook arms 46b and 47b are disposed to abut against each other to limit the inward movement.

Thus, buckle 32 serves to enhance its gripping characteristic under increased tension in the strap so as to preclude release of the grip of buckle 32 on strap 31 under the adverse circumstances which, in the past, tended to dislodge the grip of the buckle in FIG. 1.

Yet, buckle 32 can be released simply by drawing the free ends of arms 43, 44 in an outward direction to disengage the jaws from the strap, then allowing the end of the buckle with the hooks to pivot away from strap end 34. With the buckle so positioned, the free end of strap 31 is readily withdrawn from buckle 32.

FIG. 5 illustrates another embodiment which is similar to that described above, except that the buckle is formed ofa rod having a generally square cross section. This square cross section has been found to provide a better grip on the strap in some applications. Primed reference numerals are used in FIG. 5 to designate elements which correspond to similar elements in FIGS. 3 and 4.

The embodiment of FIG. 6 includes an elongate strap 66 and a buckle 67. Strap 66 is generally similar to strap 31, and it includes a fixed end 68 and a free end 69. Buckle 67 comprises a generally'rectangular rigid plate 71 having a pair of transversely extending longitudinally spaced apart, adjacent openings 72, 73 defining parallel cross arms 74 and 76 toward one end of plate 71. Strap end 68 is formed in a closed loop 77 which passes through openings 72 and 73 and around inner cross arm 74. The free end 69 of the strap is formed in an open loop 78 which passes around outer cross arm Flanges 81 and 82 extend from the sides of plate 71 to provide strength to buckle 67. Flanges 81, 82 include aligned openings 83 and 84 toward the end of plate 71 remote from cross arms 74, 76. A retaining pin 86 removably mounted in flange openings 83, 84 is spaced from plate 71 by a distance corresponding substantially to two thicknesses of the strap to provide means for securing buckle 67 in position adjacent to the free end 69 of the strap.

Operation and use of the strap and buckle assembly of FIG. 6 are generally similar to that of the embodiments previously described. The strap is tightened by rocking the buckle about cross arm 76 from a position adjacent to the fixed end 68 of the strap toward a position adjacent to the fixed end 68 of the strap toward a position adjacent to the free end 69. The belt is secured in its tightened condition by inserting pin 86 in openings 83 and 84 with the two thicknesses of strap at the free end 69 disposed between plate 71 and pin 86. The buckle is released simply by removing pin 86 and rotating the buckle toward the fixed end 68 of the strap.

From the foregoing it will be readily evident that an improved strap and buckle assembly has been provided.

I claim:

1. In combination, an elongate strap and a buckle for tightening and securing the strap, said buckle comprising a transversely extending cross arm at one end of the buckle, the strap having a free end adapted to be looped around the cross arm, a pair of short lever arms extending from the ends of the cross arm, transverse arms extending from'the short lever arms in a direction generally parallel to the cross arm, one end of the strap being formed with a closed loop fixed around the transverse arms, a pair of elongate operating arms extending diagonally from opposite ends of the transverse arms toward that end of the buckle remote from the cross arm and crossing each other intermediate the ends of the buckle, said operating arms being significantly longer than the short lever arms to provide a substantial mechanical advantage for tightening the strap when the buckle is pivoted about the cross arm in a direction extending from a position adjacent that end of the strap looped about the transverse arms toward the strap looped about the cross arm, and inwardly opening confronting jaws at the ends of the elongate operating arms for engaging that end of the strap looped about the cross arm to retain the buckle in position adjacent the last named end and thereby secure the strap in its tightened condition. y

2. A buckle as defined in claim 1 wherein the buckle is formed from a rod of resilient material.

3. In combination, an elongate strap and a buckle for tightening and securing same, said buckle comprising a rigid plate having a pair of transversely extending spaced apart openings at one end of the plate defining a pair of parallel cross arms, one end of the strap being fixed in a closed loop passing through the openings and around the inner cross arm, the end-most cross arm being adapted to have the other end of the strap looped about the same, means extending from the sides of the plate and having aligned openings formed therein toward that end of the plate remote from the cross arms, and a transversely extending retaining pin removably mounted in the aligned openings and spaced from the plate sufficiently to accommodate two thicknesses of the strap to be interposed between the pin and the plate whereby the buckle can be secured in a position adjacent to that end of the strap looped about the outer cross arms.

4. In a buckle formed ofa resilient rod for tightening and securing an elongate strap, a transversely extending cross arm at one end of the buckle about which a free end of the strap can be looped, a pair of short lever arms extending from the ends of the cross arm. a pair of transverse arms about which a second end of the strap can be looped and secured, said transverse arms extending from the short lever arms in a direction generally parallel to the cross arm, a pair of elongate operating arms extending diagonally from opposite ends of the transverse arms toward that end of the buckle remote from the cross arm and crossing each other intermediate the ends of the buckle, said release arms being substantially longer than the short lever arms to provide a substantial mechanical advantage for tightening the strap when the buckle is pivoted about the cross arm from a position adjacent that end of the strap looped about the transverse arms toward a position adjacent that end of the strap looped about the cross arm,

the strap in its tightened condition.

i =l l 

1. In combination, an elongate strap and a buckle for tightening and securing the strap, said buckle comprising a transversely extending cross arm at one end of the buckle, the strap having a free end adapted to be looped around the cross arm, a pair of short lever arms extending from the ends of the cross arm, transverse arms extending from the short lever arms in a direction generally parallel to the cross arm, one end of the strap being formed with a closed loop fixed around the transverse arms, a pair of elongate operating arms extending diagonally from opposite ends of the transverse arms toward that end of the buckle remote from the cross arm and crossing each other intermediate the ends of the buckle, said operating arms being significantly longer than the short lever arms to provide a substantial mechanical advantage for tightening the strap when the buckle is pivoted about the cross arm in a direction extending from a position adjacent that end of the strap looped about the transverse arms toward the strap looped about the cross arm, and inwardly opening confronting jaws at the ends of the elongate operating arms for engaging that end of the strap looped about the cross arm to retain the buckle in position adjacent the last named end and thereby secure the strap in its tightened condition.
 2. A buckle as defined in claim 1 wherein the buckle is formed from a rod of resilient material.
 3. In combination, an elongate strap and a buckle for tightening and securing same, said buckle comprising a rigid plate having a pair of transversely extending spaced apart openings at one end of the plate defining a pair of parallel cross arms, one end of the strap being fixed in a closed loop passing through the openings and around the inner cross arm, the end-most cross arm being adapted to have the other end of the strap looped about the same, means extending from the sides of the plate anD having aligned openings formed therein toward that end of the plate remote from the cross arms, and a transversely extending retaining pin removably mounted in the aligned openings and spaced from the plate sufficiently to accommodate two thicknesses of the strap to be interposed between the pin and the plate whereby the buckle can be secured in a position adjacent to that end of the strap looped about the outer cross arms.
 4. In a buckle formed of a resilient rod for tightening and securing an elongate strap, a transversely extending cross arm at one end of the buckle about which a free end of the strap can be looped, a pair of short lever arms extending from the ends of the cross arm, a pair of transverse arms about which a second end of the strap can be looped and secured, said transverse arms extending from the short lever arms in a direction generally parallel to the cross arm, a pair of elongate operating arms extending diagonally from opposite ends of the transverse arms toward that end of the buckle remote from the cross arm and crossing each other intermediate the ends of the buckle, said release arms being substantially longer than the short lever arms to provide a substantial mechanical advantage for tightening the strap when the buckle is pivoted about the cross arm from a position adjacent that end of the strap looped about the transverse arms toward a position adjacent that end of the strap looped about the cross arm, and inwardly open confronting jaws at the ends of the elongate release arms for engaging that end of the strap looped about the cross arm to retain the buckle in position adjacent to the last named end and thereby secure the strap in its tightened condition. 